Chicago is facing several days of extremely high temperatures, and residents are urged to take extra precautions.
That means the usual — keep drinking water, don’t stay outside too long and when you do go out, wear sunscreen.
The city operates six cooling centers, and could open additional ones this week.
“Heat will build to dangerous levels Thursday through Saturday,” according to a National Weather Service statement.
High temperatures will reach into the high 90s on all three of those days, and the heat index — the combined effect of heat and humidity — could exceed 105 degrees.
Don’t expect it to get much better when the sun goes down, either — the temperature won’t drop much below 80 degrees.
“Very warm overnight temperatures will offer little relief from the heat and humidity.” according to the weather service.
When temperatures climb this high, there is a greater risk of heat exhaustion and even heatstroke, according to the Mayo Clinic.
Symptoms of heat exhaustion include heavy sweating and a rapid pulse.
More serious is heatstroke, which can occur when a person’s body temperature reaches 104 degrees, according to Mayo.
A person with heatstroke may feel hot and dry; untreated, heatstroke can damage the heart, kidneys, and brain.
If you must go out, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends sunglasses and a wide-brimmed hat. Also, apply suncreen with a minimum SPF of 15. Put it on 30 minutes before leaving the house, and reapply often. Look for products that say “broad spectrum” or “UVA/UVB protection,” according to the CDC.
The six cooling centers already open are:
• Englewood Center, 1140 W. 79th St.
• Garfield Center, 10 S. Kedzie Ave.
• King Center, 4314 S. Cottage Grove Ave.
• North Area Center, 845 W. Wilson Ave.
• South Chicago Center, 8650 S. Commercial Ave.
• Trina Davila Center, 4312 W. North Ave.
